Given your old-fashioned personality and obsession with all things 1940s to 1980s, it's no wonder that most people refer to you as an 'old soul' who would've rather lived back then than in the modern era. Little do they know, you already did, but wi...
"Miss Stark," you raise an acknowledging eyebrow to your maid who stands patiently in the doorway. She lowers her voice upon seeing you're still on the phone and sets a pair of keys on the counter," the car has been pulled upfront."
Mouthing a 'thank you' to her, you return your full attention back to your nephew's rambling on the other end. You had just been preparing to depart before receiving a call from Jarvis under the request of the youngest Stark. Moments later, the boy's delighted voice filled the line as he began gleefully telling you about his week and his excitement for this coming Wednesday.
"Anthony..." his words halt when you breath his name with a chuckle," you know I'll be at the party in two days, right? Shouldn't you be saving some stuff to tell me for then?"
"I'll still have stuff to tell you then!" He promises and you don't doubt it. Your nephew always manages to talk your ear off, not that you could ever mind. God knows Howard never gives him the time of day," but two days is sooo far away. Why can't you just come over now? We could have a sleepover!"
"I really wish I could, lil' wiz, but I'm backed up with work right now," you lie with a smirk. Little does Tony know, you've already made plans to arrive this evening and surprise him. You've even prepared his present which sits on the counter beside you, wrapped in deep red with a silver bow on top. You know it's something he'll light up upon seeing, after all, he's been talking about wanting one for months now and you doubt anyone else has paid enough attention to realize (well, other than Jarvis maybe).
Tony huffs and you're sure he's currently wearing a pout,"...are you at least going to show me how to finish the circuit board when you get here?"
"Of course, that way we can rub it in your dad's face that his son's already smarter than he is," you smile at Tony's laughter while glancing at the clock to check the time," alright, lil' wiz. I have to go now, but I'll see you soon, okay?"
"Not soon enough..."
"Hey who knows? Maybe if you're lucky, these next two days will go by quickly, yeah?"
"Yeah," he repeats," I love you, Auntie Hollie."
"Love you too, Anthony. See you soon," you wait for him to end the call before hanging the phone back up and grabbing the keys your maid had set down earlier.
She's standing at the front door by that time, politely helping you with your coat as you balance Tony's present in your arms. Wishing her a good evening after grabbing your purse, you finally make your way out to the black Cadillac parked in the driveway of the mansion. Setting the box in the passenger's seat, you twirl the keys around your finger while making your way to the driver's side which is when it happens.
You feel it before you actually hear the sound; a piercing pain that shoots through your shoulder and causes you to instantly fall to your knees with a shout of agony. You drop your purse and keys to clench the wound while turning your back against the car door for support. Sucking in a breath, you then reach towards the purse where you always keep your pistol per Peggy's advice, however, it's not like you ever had much of a chance with this situation.
Even with the weapon in hand, you don't know where the shot had come from, your only hint being the flash of light reflecting on some shiny surface hidden within the tree line. By the time you move your arms to point the pistol that way, another shot rings out not of your own, making your world go dark...
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